Biomaterial Database

Phase microscope study of the giant cells from the normal testes of the Indian hedgehog, Paraechinus micropus. 1977

P P Bidwai, and S R Bawa

The phase-optic study of the germinal cells from the testes of the hedgehog, a seasonally breeding mammal, reveals the multinucleate giant cells in the natural state in late August, at the beginning of winter regression without subjecting these animals to any type of experimental stress. The participation of primary spermatocytes and spermatogonia, in addition to spermatids, in the formation of these giant cells has been observed. The nuclei at similar stage of spermatogenesis are identifiable in a single giant cell. The possible mechanism of their formation is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008858	Microscopy, Phase-Contrast	A form of interference microscopy in which variations of the refracting index in the object are converted into variations of intensity in the image. This is achieved by the action of a phase plate.	Phase-Contrast Microscopy,Microscopies, Phase-Contrast,Microscopy, Phase Contrast,Phase Contrast Microscopy,Phase-Contrast Microscopies
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D006364	Hedgehogs	The family Erinaceidae, in the order EULIPOTYPHLA. Most are true hedgehogs possessing a coat of spines and a very short tail. Those members of the family found in Southeast Asia (moonrats or gymnures) have normal body hair and a long tail.	Erinaceidae,Hedgehog
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013087	Spermatids	Male germ cells derived from the haploid secondary SPERMATOCYTES. Without further division, spermatids undergo structural changes and give rise to SPERMATOZOA.	Spermatoblasts,Spermatid,Spermatoblast
D013090	Spermatocytes	Male germ cells derived from SPERMATOGONIA. The euploid primary spermatocytes undergo MEIOSIS and give rise to the haploid secondary spermatocytes which in turn give rise to SPERMATIDS.	Spermiocytes,Spermatocyte,Spermiocyte
D013093	Spermatogonia	Euploid male germ cells of an early stage of SPERMATOGENESIS, derived from prespermatogonia. With the onset of puberty, spermatogonia at the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubule proliferate by mitotic then meiotic divisions and give rise to the haploid SPERMATOCYTES.	Spermatophores,Spermatogonias,Spermatophore
D013737	Testis	The male gonad containing two functional parts: the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES for the production and transport of male germ cells (SPERMATOGENESIS) and the interstitial compartment containing LEYDIG CELLS that produce ANDROGENS.	Testicles,Testes,Testicle